Long a world No.2, the talented Norwegian is tiring of that role after living in a dominant player's shadow since joining the tour in 2003.

First there was Swede Annika Sorenstam, then Mexican Lorena Ochoa. Taiwan's Tseng is the current, and arguably toughest, nemesis.

Pettersen believes she can overhaul Tseng _ who won 12 times last year and became the youngest player to win five majors at age

22 _ but she accepts it might take more than a season to do so.

The campaign begins again in earnest in the co-sanctioned Australian Open at Royal Melbourne, where Tseng and Pettersen head a stellar field also including world No.4 Christie Kerr (US), No.th7 Jiyai Shin (South Korea), No.th9 Stacy Lewis (US), No.th10 Brittany Lincicome (US) and Australia's former world No.th1 and four-time champion Karrie Webb.

``It's always been a dream of mine,'' Pettersen said. ``And I definitely think my game is there.

``Obviously Yani's got a great head start over all of us and it's probably going to take more than a season to catch up with her.

``She seems to be playing great in majors as well so that doesn't help the rest of us.''

Pettersen said she tried to ignore Tseng's approach which detracted from the work she put into her own progress.

``I look at my game and what I can do better to get the most out of it every day,'' she said.

``But she's a great No.1, she's very aggressive, very fearless and obviously has a lot of confidence at the moment.

``But I've beaten her before so I know you can do it.''